Review: All Eyes on Alexandra –
Anna Levine, the author of the picture book All Eyes on Alexandra, graciously sent me and my daughters a print review copy of her book! First of all, the illustrations by Chiara Pasqualotto are gorgeous. I was happy to agree to review this title because the girls and I love birds so much, especially the herons and gulls that we watch when we go up and spend time at the lake during the summer. When it came in the mail, and we opened it up to look through it, the images immediately captivated us. In this bleak winter we are having, it brightened our days and made us think of sun and nature again.
My 15-year-old hopes to be a marine biologist of some sort, so the book particularly interested her in this regard, besides her love of birds and animals. It was so very interesting for her, and my 11-year-old, to learn about the migration of birds especially in another area of the world. I never knew myself that Israel was a bird’s holiday point! Did you know 500 million birds fly over Israel each year on the way to Africa? I feel it’s not only a lovely picture book to look at and read to children but a wonderful teacher’s resource whether the teacher is parent or in the classroom. It’s a definite “must buy” for libraries! It teaches about migration, weather, locations, and so much more.
Past this scientific value of course, there is the character of Alexandra, who is a crane. She is brave, bold, and adventurous, but as her family sees it, one to not always follow directions. Through Alexandra’s eyes we see the path of the birds, but also the love of their family and how they complete their journey together. However, it also teaches that though sometimes a parent or loved one might be scared of a child “flexing their wings” on their own (almost made me cry since I had let my own son do that this year moving eight hours away to go to college in Washington D.C.), you have to let them try. Alexandra succeeded far beyond their hopes!
I loved how the book showed you through the many locations and stages the bird fly in formation through, from cities to past lighthouses, some skylines and some beautiful, serene natural beauty. I loved seeing a little of Israel through the author and the illustrator’s eyes as well, without any political or religious undertones so that it can be enjoyed by everyone of all cultures.
Both of my girls loved this with comments of “Ooooo so pretty” and “Awwww so cute” and “Very cool!” Though intended for ages 4-7, anyone who appreciates art, birds, books, or beauty will love it for a keepsake. And moms of children in this age range will certainly get a lot of reading out of it.
We can always keep an eye on Alexandra with her red scarf and follow her lead. We love to travel through books at our house and this excursion with the cranes was a wonderful trip during our snowy afternoon, but we will enjoy reading it anytime of year! Highly recommended!
Come back again next week when Anna has a guest article on Oh, for the Hook of a Book! about things you can do with your children to learn about other cultures!
About All Eyes on Alexandra –
In All Eyes on Alexandra, young Alexandra Crane is terrible at following her family in their flying Vee. She can’t help it that the world is so full of interesting distracting sights! When it’s time for the Cranes to migrate to Israel’s Hula Valley for the winter, Alexandra is excited but her family is worried. Will Alexandra stay with the group, and what happens if a dangerous situation should arise? Might Alexandra—and the rest of the flock—discover that a bad follower can sometimes make a great leader?
Based on the true story of Israel’s annual crane migration.
Print Length: 32 Pages
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Publisher: Kar-Ben Pub
ISBN-10: 1512444391
ISBN-13: 978-1512444391
All Eyes on Alexandra is available to purchase on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target and Thrift Books.
Author Anna Levine, Biography –
Anna Levine is an award-winning children’s book author. Like Alexandra Crane, the character in her latest picture book, she loves to explore new worlds.
Born in Canada, Anna has lived in the US and Europe. She now lives in Israel, where she writes and teaches.
You can find Anna Levine online at –
Author website: http://www.annalevine.org/
Twitter: @LevineAnna
Instagram: @booksfromanna
About the Illustrator, Chiara Pasqualotto,
Chiara Pasqualotto was born in Padua, in northern Italy, currently teaches illustration and drawing classes to children and adults, in particular in Padua during the summer at the Scuola Internazionale di Comics and in Rome.
Since 2008 she’s been living in Rome and working with illustration professionally: her first picture book, Mine, All Mine! was published in 2009 by Boxer Books (UK), since then she published with Oxford University Press, Giunti, Terranuova and some American publishers (Paraclete Press, Tyndale, LearningAZ, Kar-Ben Publisher).
You can find Chiara Pasqualotto online at –
Artist website – https://romeartweek.com/en/artists/?id=1495&ida=1004
Blog: http://chiarapasqualotto.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clairepaspage/
If you’d like to read more reviews of this book or some articles by the author about fun things to do with your kids, check out some more of the stops of her online tour.
December 3rd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Make sure you visit WOW’s blog today and read an interview with the author and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book All Eyes on Alexandra.
December 5th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Visit Cassandra’s blog where she shares her thoughts about Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/
December 6th @ Break Even Books
Visit Erik’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about how to jog your inspiration.
December 7th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and visit Lacey’s blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com
December 8th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog today where he joins in the fun of celebrating and shares information about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 8th @ Christy’s Cozy Corners
Visit Christy’s blog and cozy up while you read her review of Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://christyscozycorners.com/
December 9th @ Coffee with Lacey
Visit Lacey’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about designing your ideal writing spot.
http://coffeewithlacey.wordpress.com
December 9th @ Christy’s Cozy Corner
Visit Christy’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about how she decided to use crane’s in her story.
https://christyscozycorners.com/
December 10th @ Thoughts in Progress
Visit Pamela’s blog where you can read Anna Levine’s guest post about how authors use anthropomorphic animals.
http://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/
December 11th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie’s blog today and read her thoughts about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/
December 12th @ Author Anthony Avina Blog
Visit Anthony Avina’s blog where he interviews Anna Levine, author of All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 13th @ Read. Write. Sparkle. Coffee.
Make sure you visit Jeanie’s blog today and read Anna Levine’s guest post about building a theme day around a picture book.
http://www.readwritesparklecoffee.com/
December 13th @ Oh for the Hook of a Book
Visit Erin’s blog where she shares her thoughts on Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
December 14th @ Growing with Science Blog
Be sure to visit Roberta’s blog and read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra as well as read Anna’s guest post about five fun bird-themed activities.
http://growingwithscience.com/
December 14th @ Wrapped in Foil
Visit Roberta’s blog today where Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra gets featured on the weekly STEM Friday post (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math books!).
http://blog.wrappedinfoil.com/
December 15th @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra’s blog where she features Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra in a spotlight post.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
December 17th @ World of My Imagination
Stop by Nicole’s blog today where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com
December 18th @ Oh, for the Hook of a Book
Visit Erin’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post featuring activities for young children to explore their world.
December 19th @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Visit Cassandra’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about naming your characters.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com
December 19th @ Linda’s Blog
Make sure you visit Linda’s blog today where you can read her thoughts about Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog
December 20th @ Word Magic: All About Books
Visit Fiona’s blog where you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
December 21st @ Bring on Lemons
Make sure you grab some lemonade and stop by Crystal’s blog today where she reviews Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
December 27th @ Linda’s Blog
Visit Linda’s blog again where you can read her interview with author Anna Levine.
https://www.lindaleekane.com/blog
December 28th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog today you can read her review of Anna Levine’s book All Eyes on Alexandra.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
December 31st @ Strength 4 Spouses
Visit Wendi’s blog and read Anna Levine’s guest post on learning about families and different cultures.
https://strength4spouses.blog/
January 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina’s blog where he shares his thoughts about Anna Levine’s picture book All Eyes on Alexandra.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
January 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Visit Beverley’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about getting into the head of your middle-grade characters.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
January 4th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit author Anthony Avina’s blog again where you can read Anna Levine’s blog post about using fiction to write non-fiction.
http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
January 7th @ Strength 4 Spouses Blog
Visit Wendi’s blog again where you can read her thoughts about the book All Eyes on Alexandra by Anna Levine.
https://strength4spouses.blog/
HOOK of a BOOK! 
Thank you, Erin for sharing Alexandra with your ‘flock’! Loved their, and your, perspective and seeing the story through new eyes.
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It was our pleasure. What a lovely book!!
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What a beautiful book! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂
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It’s great, and sure thing!
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This looks like a fun way to learn
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Totally!
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I love that the name is Alexandra! That’s my daughter’s name. Anyway, this seems like a fun book.
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It’s a beautiful name. I almost named one of mine Alexandra too! We really enjoyed the book.
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Great review!
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Who doesn’t love picture books? The illustrations captivate everyone. Good to know some fun facts about Israel.
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It’s nice so many do, but I love recommended the ones I like best to readers, moms, or institutions. Over the years there have been some illustration techniques in some I felt didn’t match the text or like as much, but I can truly say with this one, with the whimsical and soft feel, and the colors, it really reflected the beauty of the feathers of the crane and of nature. The story was warm and engaging. It was much more than facts about Israel – it was about bird migration and their journey along the way with a bit of human story about trusting others.
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Cute looking book. The illustrations are adorable,
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I think my kids might like this one.
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